KQED Poll Shows Trouble for Kamala Harris in Home State and Divided Opinions on Gig Worker Law

Plus an Interview with California Republican Party Chair Jessica Patterson [Political Breakdown Logo]( Good morning — Scott here from the KQED Politics and Government Desk. We’re still more than six months away from the March 2020 primary in California, but can’t you feel things heating up? The whistleblower accusations toward President Trump and Ukraine have a certain deja vu. And the so-called “field of 24” looks a lot smaller today than it did a few weeks ago. And that seemed like a good time to launch the KQED Political Breakdown/Change Research Poll. We dig into that and more below. Have a good week! — Scott [BIG STORY](#) New KQED Poll Shows Trouble for Harris in California Warren Leads Pack in Survey of Primary Voters Any notion that California Senator Kamala Harris could count on winning her home state primary as a kind of “favorite daughter” candidate (can we all agree that’s an awkward phrase?) was called into question in [our first KQED Political Breakdown/Change Research Poll](. It shows Harris falling behind the three frontrunners, Senators Elizabeth Warren (25 percent), Bernie Sanders (23 percent) and former Vice President Joe Biden (18 percent) among likely voters in California's Democratic primary. POLITICAL BREAKDOWN HIGHLIGHTS Californians Divided on Gig Worker Protections, Want More Privacy Protections We also asked likely voters about two controversial issues involving California's innovation economy. In the wake of Gov. Newsom signing AB 5, the gig worker bill, our poll shows a [majority of respondents]( want to know what workers think about being “independent contractors” or employees with benefits. And a wide majority of likely voters want transparency or limits into the way their personal data is collected and used. Jessica Patterson on Her Vision for the Republican Party, CEQA Reform and 'Mexican Chop Suey' A lot was made when Jessica Patterson was picked to be the first Latina chair of the California Republican Party. She [talked with Marisa and I]( about how she first got into politics and how she wants to return to that big tent idea Reagan talked about. # CLIMATE WEEK Youth Warning to Politicians: We're Watching on Climate Change Whether they’re old enough to vote or not (yet), thousands of young people throughout California and the nation [took to the streets Friday]( as part of a “global climate strike” telling politicians they expect more action from them to reduce carbon emissions. California Leads the Charge Against Trump Air Quality Roll Back The Trump Administration chose a day the president was in California to announce it would [revoke a long-standing waiver]( the state had to set tougher emission standards for cars and trucks. So it was no surprise Attorney General Xavier Becerra said “Mr. President, we’ll see you in court.” SPONSORED BY Wells Fargo Wells Fargo aims to pave a path to economic opportunity and financial success for underserved communities by focusing on housing affordability, small business growth, and financial health, among other local community needs. In 2018, Wells Fargo’s Foundation donated $444 million to more than 11,000 nonprofits. For more information, visit [wellsfargo.com/impact](. [schaaf] This Week: Libby Schaaf Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf will join me and Marisa on the Breakdown this week. TUNE IN: [Thursday at 6:30pm]( on KQED Public Radio, and anytime [on Apple Podcasts](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( [Donate]( [Read on Web]( | [Manage Subscription]( | [Privacy Policy]( KQED 2601 Mariposa St. San Francisco, CA 94110 Copyright © September 24, 2019 [KQED](. All Rights Reserved.